"Rude" Ed Debevic's Waitress Does Her Job, Becomes An Internet Star
CHICAGO (CBS) -- Video of a waitress at Ed Debevic's giving customers the restaurant's signature treatment has made the sassy server a bit of a star.
A video of Cherry, the waitress serving an Idaho family earlier this month, has been seen more than 4 million time on Facebook in less than two weeks.
Kryssie Ridolfi - Cherry's real name - has been working at the retro diner for 11 years. She said she's overwhelmed by the response, but is really enjoying it.
"I don't think I did anything different. I think it was just the right person happened to be filming me at the right time," she said
Ridolfi said the family was in on the joke, and enjoyed her snarkiness – even the grandfather, who might appear annoyed.
"You know what grandpa, if I was nice to you, I'd get canned. If you want good service, you go somewhere else. I know Hooters is probably more your speed, but you came here on purpose," she said as she took their order.
The video posted by Facebook user LaNetta Limb Maxfield has taken on a life of its own since it was posted on Aug. 10, according to Ridolfi.
"I've pushed the envelope a little bit with people, and learned how to read who can take it, and who can't, and since I knew that they were into it, I gave them a little bit more," she said.
Maxfield clearly knew what she was getting into, as her description of the video states the family knew Ed Debevic's is known for rudeness, and they think it's hilarious.
As of Thursday morning, the video had more than 4.4 million views on Facebook. All those views have translated into extra business.
"There have definitely been more tables in my section than normal, which is nice. I signed a lot of extra autographs. I've taken a lot of pictures with people,"
Ridolfi said she was a little bit thrown by all the attention, but is enjoying it.
"I've gotten so many new friends on Facebook, and messages from people, and all of my bands [she's in three of them] are getting a lot of attention right now," she said.
The former actress was soaking it all in, including the misperceptions.
"I'm a total loser; and like super, super friendly; and a complete nerd in real life," she said. "Everybody thinks that I'm this crazy, snappy monster; and I'm so not."
Ridolfi said Chicagoans understand the rude behavior by the staff at Ed Debevic's is part of the signature experience, and know not to take it seriously.